3-point bra fastener

ABSTRACT

A garment or other article of clothing can be configured with a three point fastener system or assembly. The garment can be a brassiere, ladies swimsuit or swimsuit top, dress, or any other garment designed to be worn about the torso. The garment can include a front portion having a left side and a right side connected by a back portion. The left and right sides of the front portion can be selectively connected by a first fastener. Second and third fasteners can also connect shoulder straps between the front portion and the back portion. Each of the fasteners can be configured for simple release, including a one touch, single motion, or other simple mechanism for uncoupling elements of the fastener.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/733,342, filed on Dec. 4, 2012, and entitled3-POINT BRA FASTENER, which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. The Field of the Invention

This invention relates to systems, methods, and apparatus for clothingdesign.

2. The Relevant Technology

Many articles of clothing are designed to engage or fit to multipleparts of the body when worn properly. Brassieres, for example, ofteninclude a pair of cups configured to engage the breasts, a band, strap,or other component configured to wrap around the torso, and two shoulderstraps configured to rest on top of respective shoulders. A typical braincludes one or more hook-and-ring clips in the back or rear portion ofthe band. These clips enable the bra to fit tightly around the torsowhen the clips are engaged, and allow the band to be separated into leftand right wings when the clips are disengaged.

To self-remove a typical bra, the wearer first unhooks the rear clips byreaching behind and undoing the hook and loop mechanisms. The left andright shoulder straps are then slid off the respective shoulders, downthe lengths of the respective arms, and pulled free of the respectivehands before the bra is fully removed. Alternatively, one may firstremove the shoulder straps, and then rotate the band such that the clipsare forward facing. The clips may then be unhooked by undoing each hookand loop mechanism. Occasionally, an individual may even opt to removethe still-clasped bra by pulling it over the top of the head (i.e. likea t-shirt).

The design features of typical bras present a number of problems forpersons with limited movement capabilities due to age, injury, orphysical disability. Tasks that require precise motor skills or hand-eyecoordination, such as unclasping the tiny clips of a bra strap, removingthe arms from the shoulder straps, rotating the tubular band with clipsaround to the front, and even pulling the bra over the head may befrustrating, painful, or even impossible for some individuals toperform. Furthermore, such garments are typically made in standardshapes and/or sizes, each of which is intended to fit a specific groupof users having similar body shapes and sizes.

Accordingly, there are a number of disadvantages in current clothingdesign that can be addressed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Implementations of the present invention are directed to systems,methods, and apparatus that include a three point fastener or connectorarrangement. Implementations include a garment or article of clothingthat can be manufactured with the three point fastener/connector systemregardless of shape, design, and/or size. In particular, the presentinvention relates to brassieres, swimming suits, lingerie, tops,dresses, slips, and/or other clothing comprising over-shoulder strapsand a front portion that provides an easy touch type fastener for quickand easy removal.

An implementation includes a three point fastening system comprising awearable article of clothing configured to be worn about a torso. Thearticle comprises a body portion configured to be positioned about thetorso, the body portion having a front portion and a back portion, thefront portion having a first side and a second side, wherein the firstside is connected to the second side via the back portion. The articlealso includes a first shoulder piece configured to engage a firstshoulder of the torso and a second shoulder portion configured to engagea second shoulder of the torso. The three point fastening system furthercomprises: (1) a first fastener, wherein the first shoulder piece isselectively attached to the body portion via the first fastener; (2) asecond fastener, wherein the second shoulder portion is selectivelyattached to the body portion via the second fastener; and (3) a thirdfastener, wherein the first side of the front portion is selectivelyattached to second side of the front portion via the third fastener.

Another implementation includes a removable garment having a bodyportion configured to be worn about a torso, the body portion includinga front portion and a back portion, the front portion having a firstside and second side selectively attached via a first fastener, whereinthe first side is connected to the second side via the back portion. Theremovable garment further includes a first shoulder piece configured toengage a first shoulder of the torso, wherein the first shoulder pieceis selectively attached to the body portion via a second fastener, and asecond shoulder portion configured to engage a second shoulder of thetorso, wherein the second shoulder portion is selectively attached tothe body portion via a third fastener.

Another implementation includes a method for removing an article ofclothing. The method includes disconnecting a first fastener configuredto couple a first shoulder piece of an article of clothing to a frontportion of the article of clothing, disconnecting a second fastenerconfigured to couple a second shoulder piece of the article of clothingto a front portion of the article of clothing, and disconnecting a thirdfastener configured to connect a first front portion of the article ofclothing to a second front portion of the article of clothing, whereinthe article of clothing is configured to be worn about a torso when thefirst, second, and third fasteners are in a connected configuration, andwherein the article of clothing is configured to be removed when one ormore of the first, second, and third fasteners are in a disconnectedconfiguration.

Additional features and advantages of illustrative and/or exemplaryimplementations of the invention will be set forth in the descriptionwhich follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or maybe learned by the practice of such exemplary implementations. Thefeatures and advantages of such implementations may be realized andobtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularlypointed out in the appended claims. These and other features will becomemore fully apparent from the following description and appended claims,or may be learned by the practice of such illustrative and/or exemplaryimplementations as set forth hereinafter.

These and other objects and features of the present invention willbecome more fully apparent from the following description and appendedclaims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forthhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of thepresent invention, a more particular description of the invention willbe rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which areillustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that thesedrawings depict only illustrated embodiments of the invention and aretherefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention willbe described and explained with additional specificity and detailthrough the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 a illustrates a front view of an article of clothing having athree point fastener assembly; and

FIG. 2 illustrates a rear view of the article of clothing shown in FIG.1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Implementations of the present invention are directed to systems,methods, and apparatus that include a three point fastener or connectorarrangement. Implementations include a garment or article of clothingthat can be manufactured with the three point fastener/connector systemregardless of shape, design, and/or size. In particular, the presentinvention relates to brassieres, swimming suits, lingerie, tops,dresses, slips, and/or other clothing comprising over-shoulder strapsand a front portion that provides an easy touch type fastener for quickand easy removal.

In certain implementations, the three point fastener assembly, method,apparatus, or system enhances ease of use and/or flexibility to theuser, and/or is formed to provide increased comfort, use, and/orflexibility to the user. Articles of clothing having such a feature canaccommodate differently shaped and/or sized body portion(s) acrossdifferent shape and/or size groups to enhance comfort, ease of use,and/or flexibility to many different users, including injured, disabled,and/or handicapped users.

Reference will now be made to the figures wherein like structures willbe provided with like reference designations. It is understood that thefigures are diagrammatic and/or schematic representations of someembodiments of the invention, and are not limiting of the presentinvention, nor are they necessarily drawn to scale.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a front view and a rear view, respectively, ofan article of clothing having a three point fastener assembly.Specifically, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a garment 100 having a bodyportion 110 configured to be worn about the torso. Garment 100 can be orotherwise include any article of clothing configured to be worn aboutthe torso so as to at least partially cover at least a portion of theupper torso. For instance, garment 100 can include a brassiere, a swimsuit or swim suit top (including a bikini top), a sports bra, a nursingbra, a negligee, an article of lingerie, a dress, a slip (full orotherwise configured), or any other suitable article of clothing. Thus,in certain implementation, a garment 100 can be configured specificallyto at least partially expose at least a portion of the upper torso.

In certain implementations, garment 100 is configured to be worn,suspended from, or otherwise supported by or about the shoulders of thewearer. For example, some implementations include a garment 100 thatdoes not include arms or other portions configured to be worn about thelimbs. One will appreciate, however, that the present invention is notso limited, and that a garment 100 may comprise any suitable portion,part, or feature including arms, legs, and so forth.

The body portion 110 can include a front portion 120 and a back portion130. The front portion 120 can have a first side 122 and second side 124selectively attached via a first fastener 105. First side 122 caninclude a cup-shaped support member 126 a configured to be positionedover a first breast and/or a lower support member 128 a configured toprovide added rigidity and support. In certain implementations,cup-shaped support member 126 a can comprise padding or other materialconfigured to provide comfort or other desirable quality. In someimplementations, lower support member 128 a can comprise an underwire,rod, bar, or other semi-rigid, semi-flexible, or other element.Similarly, second side 124 can also include a cup-shaped support member126 b configured to be positioned over a second breast and/or a lowersupport member 128 b configured to provide added rigidity and support.

Furthermore, the first side 122 can be connected to the second side 124via the back portion 130. Back portion 130 can include a strap 132configured to be positioned against the back of the torso. In certainimplementations, back portion 130 can comprise an elastic fabric and/orother material configured to provide comfort and flexibility. Thus,first side 122, second side 124, and back portion 130 can comprise aunitary article configured to be wrapped around the torso of the wearer.In at least one implementation, first side 122, second side 124, andback portion 130 can be secured about the torso by coupling first side122 to second side 124 via fastener 105.

Garment 100 can also include first shoulder piece 140 a and secondshoulder piece 140 b, each of which can be selectively attachable to thebody portion 110 via a fastener 105. For instance, shoulder piece 140 acan attach or be attached to the first side 122 of the front portion 120of body portion 110 via fastener 105 b. Fastener 105 b can be positionedin an upper area of first side 122 near the top of cup-shaped supportmember 126 a. Shoulder piece 140 b can also attach or be attached to thesecond side 124 of the front portion 120 of body portion 110 viafastener 105 c. Fastener 105 c can also be positioned in an upper areaof second side 124 near the top of cup-shaped support member 126 b.

One will appreciate, however, that the present invention is not solimited and that other configurations are contemplated herein. Forinstance, fasteners 105 b and 105 c can be positioned on a top portionof shoulder pieces 140 a and 140 b, respectively, such that theuncoupling of fasteners 105 b and 105 c causes shoulder pieces 140 a and140 b to be separated into first and second portions (illustratively,front and back portions). Moreover, shoulder pieces 140 a and 140 b canattach or be attached to first side 122 and second side 124,respectively, in a middle, side, and/or lower region of cup-shaped orother support members 126 a and 126 b, respectively.

Furthermore, shoulder piece 140 a can be attached to a first side of theback portion 130, and shoulder piece 140 b can be attached to a secondside of the back portion 130. Thus, shoulder pieces 140 a and 140 b canbe selectively attached to the front portion 120 of the body portion 110of garment 100 via fasteners 105. In some implementations, shoulderpieces 140 a and 140 b can also remain attached to the back portion 130of the body portion 110 of garment 100 whether fasteners 105 are engaged(attaching the respective shoulder pieces 140 a and 140 b to the frontportion 110) or disengaged (releasing the respective shoulder pieces 140a and 140 b to the front portion 110). Shoulder pieces 140 a and/or 140b can also have adjustment mechanisms 134 a and 134 b, respectively.

In some implementations, shoulder pieces 140 a and 140 b can beconfigured to rest upon, cover, or otherwise engage the shoulder(s) of awearer of the garment 100. For instance, shoulder piece 140 a cansupport the body portion 110 of the garment 100 from or about a firstshoulder of the wearer. Likewise, shoulder piece 140 b can support thebody portion 110 of the garment 100 from or about a second shoulder ofthe wearer. Shoulder pieces 140 a and 140 b can also be configured forselective release from the first and second shoulders, respectively. Forinstance, fastener(s) 105 can uncouple or release shoulder pieces 140 aand 140 b from the respective shoulders upon which they rest.

In certain implementations, fastener(s) 105 may comprise a touch typefastener for quick and easy removal. For instance, an illustrativefastener 105 may include a clip, clasp, hook, loop, and/or otherengagement mechanism configured to secure two parts of the fastener 105together in a releasable manner. Further illustrative fasteners 105 caninclude VELCRO or other quick release material, repeat use adhesives,interlocking members, push-button release members, sliding members,rotatable members, and/or any suitable attachment means configured to beselectively engaged, disengaged, re-engaged, and/or re-disengaged ondemand and/or at appropriate or otherwise desired moment(s). Forinstance, fasteners 105 can include a one-touch disengagement mechanismby which two or more fastening or fastener elements of the fastener 105can be uncoupled with or using one hand. In some implementations, asimple motion, such as a pull, tug, push, flip, tap, rotate, spin, turn,or other movement can selectively disengage the fastener(s) 105.

In one or more implementations, a first fastener 105 can be positionedat or near the bottom area of the cup-shaped support members 126 a and126 b and/or at the junction of or between first half 122 and secondhalf 124. Other implementations can include a fastener 105 at the upperor top region or area of the cup-shaped support members 126 a and 126 band/or at the junction of or between first half 122 and second half 124.In at least one implementation, garment 100 includes three (3) distinctfasteners 105. All three fasteners 105 can be positioned generally inthe front area or region of garment 100. Such a configuration canprovided added convenience, ease of use, comfort, flexibility, and/orother desirable qualities.

Thus, the garment, wearable item, or article of clothing can beconfigured to fall freely from the torso when first, second, and thirdfasteners are disconnected. For instance, disengagement of fastener 105(positioned between first side 122 and second side 124) can cause frontportion 120 to open in the middle. Furthermore, disengagement offasteners 105 a and 105 b (positioned respectively between shoulderpieces 140 a, 140 b and first and second sides 122, 124) can cause thegarment to be unsecured to the wearer. Therefore, by easily disengagingthree touch type or other fasteners, a garment worn about the torso canbe removed using only very simple movements and/or motions.

The present invention relates generally to a garment formed to provideincrease comfort, use, and/or flexibility to the user. In certainimplementations, the present invention relates to a brassiere or otherwearable garment that provides an easy touch type fastener for quick andeasy removal, accommodating differently shaped and/or sized bodyportion(s) across different shape and/or size groups to enhance comfort,ease of use, and/or flexibility to many different users includinginjured, disabled, and/or handicapped users.

The Figures show a brassiere or other wearable garment or article ofclothing constructed in accordance with the three point frontfastener/connector principles of the present invention (shown anddesignated generally as 105). In the various implementationsillustrated, the garment of the present invention is shown as abrassiere 100. However, the present invention is not limited tobrassieres and can be incorporated into other garments, including, forexample, any type of swimming suits, tops, dresses, or slips that coverthe breast and have any three point fastener system in the front thatconnect the straps to the ,cups and the cups to each other.

The present invention may be embodied and/or implemented in otherspecific forms without departing from its spirit or essentialcharacteristics. The described implementations are to be considered inall respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of theinvention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than bythe foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning andrange of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within theirscope.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A three point fastening system, comprising: awearable article of clothing configured to be worn about a torso, thearticle comprising: a body portion configured to be positioned about thetorso, the body portion comprising a front portion and a back portion,the front portion having a first side and a second side, wherein thefirst side is connected to the second side via the back portion; a firstshoulder piece configured to engage a first shoulder of the torso; and asecond shoulder portion configured to engage a second shoulder of thetorso; a first fastener, wherein the first shoulder piece is selectivelyattached to the first side of the front portion of the body portion viathe first fastener; a second fastener, wherein the second shoulderportion is selectively attached to the second side of the front portionof the body portion via the second fastener; and a third fastener,wherein the first side of the front portion is selectively attached tothe second side of the front portion via the third fastener.
 2. Thethree point fastening system recited in claim 1, wherein one or more ofthe first, second, and third fasteners is positioned in a front regionof the wearable article.
 3. The three point fastening system recited inclaim 2, wherein each of the first, second, and third fasteners ispositioned in the front region of the wearable article.
 4. The threepoint fastening system recited in claim 1, wherein one or more of thefirst, second, and third fasteners comprise a first fastening elementand a second fastening element, wherein the first fastening element isselectively engageable with the second fastening element.
 5. The threepoint fastening system recited in claim 4, wherein the first and secondfastening elements are configured to be disengaged with one hand.
 6. Thethree point fastening system recited in claim 1, wherein the wearablearticle is selected from a group comprising: a brassiere; a swim suit; aswim suit top; a bikini top; a negligee; an item of lingerie; a slip; adress; a shirt; and a blouse.
 7. The three point fastening systemrecited in claim 1, wherein the front portion further comprises asupport member configured to provide at least some rigidity to thewearable article.
 8. The three point fastening system recited in claim1, wherein the first side of the front portion is configured to engage afirst breast and the second side of the front portion is configured toengage a second breast.
 9. The three point fastening system recited inclaim 1, wherein one or more of the first, second, and third fastenerscomprise a quick release, one touch, on demand, or other simpledisengagement mechanism.
 10. A removable garment, comprising: a bodyportion configured to be worn about a torso, the body portion comprisinga front portion and a back portion, the front portion having a firstside and second side selectively attachable via a first fastener,wherein the first side is connected to the second side via the backportion; a first shoulder piece configured to engage a first shoulder ofthe torso, wherein the first shoulder piece is selectively attachable tothe first side of the body portion via a second fastener; a secondshoulder portion configured to engage a second shoulder of the torso,wherein the second shoulder portion is selectively attachable to thesecond side of the body portion via a third fastener.
 11. The removablegarment recited in claim 10, wherein the first fastener is positioned ata bottom of the body portion between the first side and the second sideof the front portion.
 12. The removable garment recited in claim 10,wherein the second fastener is positioned in an upper region of the bodyportion adjacent to the first side of the body portion, and the thirdfastener is positioned in an upper region of the body portion adjacentto the second side of the body portion.
 13. The removable garmentrecited in claim 10, wherein each of the first, second, and thirdfasteners is configured to be selectively disengaged using one hand. 14.The removable garment recited in claim 10, wherein the first and secondsides of the front portion each comprise a first support memberconfigured to engage a breast of the torso.
 15. The removable garmentrecited in claim 14, wherein each of the first support members has aconcave configuration.
 16. The removable garment recited in claim 10,wherein one or more of the first and second shoulder pieces isselectively adjustable in length.
 17. A method for removing an articleof clothing, comprising: disconnecting a first fastener configured tocouple a first shoulder piece of an article of clothing to a frontportion of the article of clothing; disconnecting a second fastenerconfigured to couple a second shoulder piece of the article of clothingto a front portion of the article of clothing; and disconnecting a thirdfastener configured to connect a first front portion of the article ofclothing to a second front portion of the article of clothing, whereinthe article of clothing is configured to be worn about a torso when thefirst, second, and third fasteners are in a connected configuration, andwherein the article of clothing is configured to be removed when one ormore of the first, second, and third fasteners are in a disconnectedconfiguration.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein one or more of thefirst, second, and third fasteners are configured to be disconnectedusing one hand.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein one or more of thefirst, second, and third fasteners are positioned in a front region ofthe article of clothing.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the articleof clothing is configured to fall freely from the torso when the first,second, and third fasteners are disconnected.